Abstract

A REVIEW ARTICLE ON CHILDHOOD OBESITY: PREVALENCE AND AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE

Dr. Brahm Dutt Sharma*, Dr. Durgesh Nandini Sharma, Manisha Paliwal and Jayant Nagar

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a known pioneer to obesity and other noncommunicable diseases in later life. However, the enormousness of the problem among children and teenagers in India is uncertain due to paucity of well-conducted countrywide studies and lack of uniformity in the cut-points used to define childhood overweight and obesity. Environmental and genetic factors, lifestyle preferences and culture play a major role in the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity worldwide. In Ayurveda, obesity has been defined under the headings of Sthaulya in Ashtoninditiya Purush (undesirable physics) in which mainly Meda (fat) and Mamsa (Muscle) Dhatu is pretentious. By following the guidelines on the basis of Ayurvedic fundamentals like Ahar-Vihar (Diet - Activities), Drugs, Yoga and Panchakarma therapy especially Lehkan Basti parents can effectively manage their child's obesity.

Keywords: Childhood obesity, Sthaulya, Aahar-Vihar, Herbal Drugs, Yoga, Lekhan Basti.